Wish us Luck
06-04-14, 05:38 PM
#1
Let's do a Century
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Wish us Luck
Headed back out to Colorado to do Ride the Rockies for my 5th year in a row. More excited than a kid at Christmas. My bike is already there. Decided to ship it at the last minute after I looked at airline baggage fees-----another good reason for N++++.
I fly to Denver Saturday morning and arrive in Boulder around 3. Set up my tent, put my bike together and take a few minutes to get acclimated to the elevation!!
Last year's route was very flat for RtR. Not this year. First day is 89 miles with 9000 ft of climbing including Berthoud Pass. Second day is only 95 miles!!!
Note to self: Stay Away from the Beer Garden!!!
I suspect Buelito will be there. Should be a terrific week as always.
Here is the route.
Route | Ride The Rockies
I fly to Denver Saturday morning and arrive in Boulder around 3. Set up my tent, put my bike together and take a few minutes to get acclimated to the elevation!!
Last year's route was very flat for RtR. Not this year. First day is 89 miles with 9000 ft of climbing including Berthoud Pass. Second day is only 95 miles!!!
Note to self: Stay Away from the Beer Garden!!!
I suspect Buelito will be there. Should be a terrific week as always.
Here is the route.
Route | Ride The Rockies
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Ride your Ride!!
Ride your Ride!!
06-04-14, 05:42 PM
#2
Seat Sniffer
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Nice! Someday, I gotta do that one.
" ...take a few minutes to get acclimated to the elevation ..."
" ...take a few minutes to get acclimated to the elevation ..."
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Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
06-04-14, 05:46 PM
#3
Have bike, will travel
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Enjoy and keep us informed!
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
06-04-14, 06:15 PM
#4
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Have a great ride.
Tear up and discard that note to yourself. But exercise some token moderation. (think of it as Carbo Loading).
Tear up and discard that note to yourself. But exercise some token moderation. (think of it as Carbo Loading).
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
06-05-14, 03:36 AM
#5
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Hoping you have a great ride!
I have elk hunted at 10,000ft and did NOT like it. At all.
I have elk hunted at 10,000ft and did NOT like it. At all.
06-05-14, 03:37 AM
#6
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Hoping you have a great ride!
I have elk hunted at 10,000ft and did NOT like it. At all.
I have elk hunted at 10,000ft and did NOT like it. At all.
06-05-14, 03:56 AM
#7
Trek 500 Kid
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https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus...-survival.html
Excerpted:
Pack your bike in a hockey bag to avoid the airline
surcharges.Just remove fork and crank, wrap it well
and you're good to go. Don't forget to tell the
girl at the check in counter it's 'stuff for a trade show'.
--------------------------
And good luck, have fun and ride safe every chance you get
06-05-14, 04:03 AM
#8
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I just happen to have a little tip about beating those baggage fees in another thread I just posted (mostly an excuse to imbed a couple of my YouTube videos).
https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus...-survival.html
Excerpted:
Pack your bike in a hockey bag to avoid the airline
surcharges.Just remove fork and crank, wrap it well
and you're good to go. Don't forget to tell the
girl at the check in counter it's 'stuff for a trade show'.
--------------------------
And good luck, have fun and ride safe every chance you get
https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus...-survival.html
Excerpted:
Pack your bike in a hockey bag to avoid the airline
surcharges.Just remove fork and crank, wrap it well
and you're good to go. Don't forget to tell the
girl at the check in counter it's 'stuff for a trade show'.
--------------------------
And good luck, have fun and ride safe every chance you get
06-05-14, 05:20 AM
#9
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Ooh, I wanna go! Can I? Please??
No?
Have some fun for me too then!
No?
Have some fun for me too then!
06-05-14, 07:40 AM
#10
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Don't forget sunburn happens faster at higher altitudes. Not because your closer to the sun, but because there is less IR absorbing atmosphere between you and the sun. Much less, since the air is also thinner up there.
06-06-14, 08:31 AM
#11
Senior Member
I just happen to have a little tip about beating those baggage fees in another thread I just posted (mostly an excuse to imbed a couple of my YouTube videos).
https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus...-survival.html
Excerpted:
Pack your bike in a hockey bag to avoid the airline
surcharges.Just remove fork and crank, wrap it well
and you're good to go. Don't forget to tell the
girl at the check in counter it's 'stuff for a trade show'.
--------------------------
And good luck, have fun and ride safe every chance you get
https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus...-survival.html
Excerpted:
Pack your bike in a hockey bag to avoid the airline
surcharges.Just remove fork and crank, wrap it well
and you're good to go. Don't forget to tell the
girl at the check in counter it's 'stuff for a trade show'.
--------------------------
And good luck, have fun and ride safe every chance you get
BUT, the interesting thing I learned was that golf bags have no surcharge, and hockey bags have no surcharge. Have you seen the SIZE of some of those hockey bags? On another flight, the check-in person asked if it was hockey equipment. "Uh ....", I hesitated and then said, "that's why there's a picture of a bicycle on the side?". To add insult to injury, with this particular airline, even a surfboard can travel as luggage with no extra fee for special handling. But bicycles ... yes ... that'll be $50 please.
JPPE, can hardly imagine trying to ride a bike at 12,000 feet. I'd be wheezing, and likely lying on an ambulance stretcher. Have a great ride!
06-06-14, 08:54 AM
#12
The Improbable Bulk
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Good luck, enjoy the ride!
__________________
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
06-06-14, 09:00 AM
#13
Seat Sniffer
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Just had a closer look at your route:
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Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
06-06-14, 11:35 AM
#14
Let's do a Century
Thread Starter
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The airline that we frequently fly with, bikes cost $50 and count as a baggage item, so if you already have a suitcase, add another $35. Their claim is that the additional $50 is for the "special handling". I have a soft sided bike bag that is clearly oversized, yet to my surprise and horror on one flight my bike came out the baggage carousel! Not exactly "special handling". The airline refunded the $50 after I complained.
BUT, the interesting thing I learned was that golf bags have no surcharge, and hockey bags have no surcharge. Have you seen the SIZE of some of those hockey bags? On another flight, the check-in person asked if it was hockey equipment. "Uh ....", I hesitated and then said, "that's why there's a picture of a bicycle on the side?". To add insult to injury, with this particular airline, even a surfboard can travel as luggage with no extra fee for special handling. But bicycles ... yes ... that'll be $50 please.
JPPE, can hardly imagine trying to ride a bike at 12,000 feet. I'd be wheezing, and likely lying on an ambulance stretcher. Have a great ride!
BUT, the interesting thing I learned was that golf bags have no surcharge, and hockey bags have no surcharge. Have you seen the SIZE of some of those hockey bags? On another flight, the check-in person asked if it was hockey equipment. "Uh ....", I hesitated and then said, "that's why there's a picture of a bicycle on the side?". To add insult to injury, with this particular airline, even a surfboard can travel as luggage with no extra fee for special handling. But bicycles ... yes ... that'll be $50 please.
JPPE, can hardly imagine trying to ride a bike at 12,000 feet. I'd be wheezing, and likely lying on an ambulance stretcher. Have a great ride!
__________________
Ride your Ride!!
Ride your Ride!!
06-06-14, 11:39 AM
#15
Let's do a Century
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The last few days I've done everything contrary to what you're supposed to do for an event like this.
Work has been a pill and I haven't sleep enough and the additional stress is affecting my riding ability. You are supposed to go into these pretty rested! I've lost about 4 pounds over the last week and am not eating enough-that will haunt me on either day 2 or 3....... Yesterday I went out with my local group for one of week night rides in 90+ temps with high humidity and now dehydrated even much more than normal. I'm taking electrolyte tablets and chugging fluids......This could get really ugly!!
Work has been a pill and I haven't sleep enough and the additional stress is affecting my riding ability. You are supposed to go into these pretty rested! I've lost about 4 pounds over the last week and am not eating enough-that will haunt me on either day 2 or 3....... Yesterday I went out with my local group for one of week night rides in 90+ temps with high humidity and now dehydrated even much more than normal. I'm taking electrolyte tablets and chugging fluids......This could get really ugly!!
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Ride your Ride!!
Ride your Ride!!
06-06-14, 11:43 AM
#16
Seat Sniffer
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Egad. That sounds all too familiar. :-(
Chugging fluids and electrolytes is a good idea at this point ... easy to get dehydrated at altitude. And as long as you eat well the day before the ride and fill up your glycogen stores ... you should be fine.
Chugging fluids and electrolytes is a good idea at this point ... easy to get dehydrated at altitude. And as long as you eat well the day before the ride and fill up your glycogen stores ... you should be fine.
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Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
06-06-14, 02:27 PM
#17
Trek 500 Kid
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The airline that we frequently fly with, bikes cost $50 and count as a baggage item, so if you already have a suitcase, add another $35. Their claim is that the additional $50 is for the "special handling". I have a soft sided bike bag that is clearly oversized, yet to my surprise and horror on one flight my bike came out the baggage carousel! Not exactly "special handling". The airline refunded the $50 after I complained.
BUT, the interesting thing I learned was that golf bags have no surcharge, and hockey bags have no surcharge. Have you seen the SIZE of some of those hockey bags? On another flight, the check-in person asked if it was hockey equipment. "Uh ....", I hesitated and then said, "that's why there's a picture of a bicycle on the side?". To add insult to injury, with this particular airline, even a surfboard can travel as luggage with no extra fee for special handling. But bicycles ... yes ... that'll be $50 please.
BUT, the interesting thing I learned was that golf bags have no surcharge, and hockey bags have no surcharge. Have you seen the SIZE of some of those hockey bags? On another flight, the check-in person asked if it was hockey equipment. "Uh ....", I hesitated and then said, "that's why there's a picture of a bicycle on the side?". To add insult to injury, with this particular airline, even a surfboard can travel as luggage with no extra fee for special handling. But bicycles ... yes ... that'll be $50 please.
I have, however shipped 2 heavy tool boxes of machinists tools through baggage handling, as my personal luggage before. When the handler weighed them and said they were over weight I just slipped him a $20 and everything was good to go.
Last edited by Zinger; 06-06-14 at 02:50 PM.
06-06-14, 02:33 PM
#18
Trek 500 Kid
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The last few days I've done everything contrary to what you're supposed to do for an event like this.
Work has been a pill and I haven't sleep enough and the additional stress is affecting my riding ability. You are supposed to go into these pretty rested! I've lost about 4 pounds over the last week and am not eating enough-that will haunt me on either day 2 or 3....... Yesterday I went out with my local group for one of week night rides in 90+ temps with high humidity and now dehydrated even much more than normal. I'm taking electrolyte tablets and chugging fluids......This could get really ugly!!
Work has been a pill and I haven't sleep enough and the additional stress is affecting my riding ability. You are supposed to go into these pretty rested! I've lost about 4 pounds over the last week and am not eating enough-that will haunt me on either day 2 or 3....... Yesterday I went out with my local group for one of week night rides in 90+ temps with high humidity and now dehydrated even much more than normal. I'm taking electrolyte tablets and chugging fluids......This could get really ugly!!
Good luck and have fun with it every chance you get.
06-06-14, 10:12 PM
#20
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Good luck
I've done the Granby to Steamboat route - an 8 mile steep downhill into Steamboat from the pass (I believe this was about 90 miles or thereabouts), most of the Steamboat to Avon and sections of other portions of the route.
We have had a very wet winter and spring. It should be beautiful, but likely some snow around. Trail Ridge Road is plowed, but very high snowbanks.
Me at the top of Rabbit Ears Pass (Yes, that's a mtn bike)
I've done the Granby to Steamboat route - an 8 mile steep downhill into Steamboat from the pass (I believe this was about 90 miles or thereabouts), most of the Steamboat to Avon and sections of other portions of the route.
We have had a very wet winter and spring. It should be beautiful, but likely some snow around. Trail Ridge Road is plowed, but very high snowbanks.
Me at the top of Rabbit Ears Pass (Yes, that's a mtn bike)
Last edited by DnvrFox; 06-06-14 at 10:27 PM.
06-07-14, 08:04 AM
#21
just keep riding
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Have a great time! Day 3 and the last 2/3 of day 6 look like fun. I'll be on BRAG with a much easier route as we start in the rolling hills of Washington, GA and head toward the pancake flat coast at Darien, GA. Looks like party time.
As for the beer gardens, all things in moderation (including moderate amounts of wretched excess).
As for the beer gardens, all things in moderation (including moderate amounts of wretched excess).
06-08-14, 10:03 PM
#22
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Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
06-08-14, 10:18 PM
#23
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At least they'll have great stories.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
06-08-14, 10:43 PM
#24
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This happened to my wife and myself in 1999 on Lizardhead Pass headed into Telluride. Lots of bicyclers bussed, a couple of significant injuries. Floridians don't have a clue what to expect.
Last edited by DnvrFox; 06-09-14 at 07:43 AM.
06-09-14, 12:28 AM
#25
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Well they'll certainly need some luck now. I hope they are prepared in clothes for this.